Topaz didn't know all the details, but just the involvement of the Garden of Recollection and the appearance of two warships outside the Jarilo system said enough.
According to the latest intel Topaz received, two warships had shown up near the Jarilo system.
The first was a registered supermassive planet-cracker that even Diamond couldn't pull data on. The second was a vessel constructed with entirely unknown nanomachine technology—suspected to house silicon-based lifeforms…
Based on all current analysis, these two ships most likely belonged to a member of the Trailblaze Path, but no one—including Diamond—knew exactly which member. Topaz, however, had a hunch.
That was why she tried her best to hold Donatan back. As much as she wanted to see the Marketing Development Department fall flat, she didn't want to see the company's interests take a hit.
Donatan wasn't stupid. Hearing Topaz's not-so-subtle warning, he took a deep breath.
She was right. His mission wasn't just to recover debt—it was to obtain the construction-enhancing trash can.
Debt recovery was just a method. If company procedures allowed for debt relief, and he went along with it, then at least he'd save face and the higher-ups wouldn't blame him.
Sure, his chance of promotion might be gone, but at least he wouldn't fall from grace entirely. On the other hand, if he kept pushing and stepped on the wrong toes, he'd be finished.
He didn't know who was manipulating all this from behind the scenes, but whoever could mobilize this many forces definitely wasn't someone he could mess with.
Once that thought settled in, Donatan shivered slightly—he realized that he had nearly lost control. He'd been on the verge of forcing a military solution.
Yes, even with Himeko present, he'd still been thinking of forcing compliance. It wasn't until Topaz showed up and reminded him that debt collection was only a means to an end—that his real objective was securing the material—that he snapped out of it.
Realizing this, Donatan's expression softened into a friendly smile.
"Mm, Director Topaz is right. To think I was trying to make things difficult for a struggling world like this… everyone, I apologize. Since the Astral Express's navigator is present, and the Garden of Recollection has provided irrefutable evidence, it's clear this planet really did endure unimaginable hardship.
Let's proceed as Director Topaz suggested—using the original loan amount as the basis. However, as for how much damage those unused mechs caused, I'll need professionals to conduct a proper assessment. Rest assured, it will be fair and accurate."
He smiled at Bronya and continued, "But, I do need you to hand someone over. While I was conducting a field assessment in the Underworld, I was suddenly assaulted without provocation. Look at my face—it's still swollen. That person must be punished according to protocol!"
Since his original plan had failed, he needed to shift strategies fast. Getting nothing done was a minor issue—pissing off the wrong people would be a disaster.
Topaz looked him up and down and clicked her tongue. "So that's why your face is like that? Who hit you?"
Donatan responded, "A blue-haired man named Sampo. He didn't just hit me—he threatened me. I only have one request. Catch him and punish him according to the rules!"
He didn't dare speak too harshly anymore, but there was no way he was letting that beating slide. That guy Sampo had to pay.
As soon as those words left Donatan's mouth, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th exchanged a glance behind Himeko's back—each of them wearing an expression completely devoid of intelligence.
They were holding back laughter, but it was just too hard, and March 7th couldn't stop herself from snorting.
"Ah Guang~ Ah Guang~ Huh? Ah Guang, what's with that weird face?"
March 7th had originally wanted to share the moment of joy with Pei Guang, but when she looked over and saw the expression on his face—that of someone abruptly interrupted while on the toilet—she couldn't hold it in.
Yes, it sounded crude, but it was honestly the most accurate way to describe the look on his face.
Hearing March's voice, Stelle also turned to look, confused at his expression. "Ah Guang? What's wrong? Don't tell me you want to—!!"
Pei Guang: "No! I don't want to. It's just… isn't that employee a bit too idealistic? What is the Interastral Peace Corporation? A massive monopoly! A playground for capitalists! Under those circumstances, how could they agree to our demands? Shouldn't they be resisting and threatening to use force? If he doesn't resort to violence, how am I supposed to threaten him with my Star Destroyer or my nanobot battleship?!"
Getting Himeko involved had been part of Pei Guang's plan from the beginning.
Negotiations needed leverage, and since he lacked a proper "backer," he reached out to Himeko. And Himeko, disliking the corporation's methods and approving of everything Pei Guang had done so far, had readily agreed to help.
Pei Guang had expected Donatan to dig in his heels—after all, corporations always looked down on native resistance.
Following every known trope from countless games, even if a player showcased overwhelming power, the corporation—or villains—would still send waves of enforcement, suppressing and belittling them until it was completely impossible to continue doing so.
Even then, they'd simmer with resentment, waiting for revenge.
But what actually happened? Mr. Donatan Plant got beat up, his subordinates got dealt with, the debt dropped from 700 years to a normal 280 years—and he just accepted it?
Pei Guang: "Why'd he agree so fast?! Push back a little! That way I could've brought out my Star Destroyer or let the Grey Wind starship go wild!"
He was annoyed. Very annoyed.
The guy had seemed so determined just moments ago, acting like he was ready to fight to the end. And yet, a few words from Topaz and he gave up?
Where was the company's corporate pride?
He wanted them to kick back, so he could pull the "righteous vengeance" move and use overwhelming power to crush them. He had only half-played the dumb act and the tiger already ran away—how was he supposed to finish the "eat-the-tiger" part of the trope?
Pei Guang was absolutely not happy.
But while he was frustrated, others were very entertained.
Sure, Pei Guang's defiance of the company was fun to watch, but seeing him perfectly set up for a full-blown escalation only for his opponent to throw in the towel mid-script—and witnessing the exact moment he mentally crashed—was priceless.
Life was funny like that: sometimes the unexpected moments were even more fun than the perfectly planned ones.
And seeing that rare frozen expression on Pei Guang's face? Absolutely worth it.
Compared to those just enjoying the show, March 7th gently patted Pei Guang on the shoulder.
"Come on~ This is good too, isn't it? We owe the company less money, Belobog is safe, and with Bronya rallying everyone together, the people are united. Everything went according to plan.
Hmm… okay, sure, the process got skipped a bit, but based on what you said before, that counts as 'cheating the main quest', right? We just passed the class by skipping the homework!"
She grinned and looked at Pei Guang—who was still sulking like a kid—then leaned in and whispered softly, "How about this~ Come to my room tonight, and I'll show you something… nice."
March 7th knew exactly why Pei Guang was unhappy. He had made all those preparations, but the enemy just surrendered before he could even pull off the act—of course that'd be frustrating.
That's why she planned to cheer him up properly~
Besides, with Belobog's event about to kick off, she figured she'd give him a sneak peek before her outfit was officially revealed.